A week of togetherness could be the difference Just over two years ago a few of us went down to Fratton Park to see us come from behind to beat Portsmouth 2-1. A certain Paulo Di Canio came off the bench to mastermind what was almost certainly to be a defeat into a victory.

I believe that this was the last time we came from behind to win a Premiership game? Correct me if I'm wrong.

That game was my last Charlton away match and was played just a few weeks before I left the country for Chicago. It was one of those great days out - Saturday, beer, fun, footie and 3 points.

We didn't play well but 3 points away from home is always well received in my book, however you play but things have changed in those 24 months.

Firstly the team was underpinned by Kiely, Fish, Parker, Holland, Jenson and Bartlett. This season only Powell, Perry and Young can consider themselves starters from then, although Kish was on then bench with Di Canio.

I still don't expect us to go to places and dominate games by playing bright, open attacking football but that is what we have done this season, more than once.

There has been a lot of disappointment after the Fulham game, some typically extreme and some justified. Our home form needs to be addressed but games like Mondays are going to happen during a league season.

What has happened since Monday night is something that did not happen for the fortnight before that. Curbs has had all the players together training, eating, talking and promoting spirit and confidence. The majority of players had other coaches and players to do that with during the international break, some suffering the heartache of failure to qualify for next year's World Cup to live with. In Bent's case he sat idle for 2 weeks, Monday's 90 minutes will have recaptured his peak match fitness and appetite.

What will be interesting is to see if Curbishley makes his first enforced changes of the season. I think Spector, Ambrose and El K all have a chance of starting.

One player who has come in for a lot of criticism from most quarters is Chris Powell. Blimey, he wasn't that bad was he? However, the point has been made that he probably started the season as one of the fittest pro's at the club but 8 games have seen team-mates and more worringly opponents catch him up. He can no longer rely on fitness and wisdom I'm afraid. Maybe it is time for a sit down for one of the Addicks' favourite players?

I will watch the game in my favourite 'soccer' boozer over a plate of pancakes and a mug of Lipton's. I see we have sold our 3,000 allocation for the Chelsea game next week, so I guess some have chosen that over a tea-time visit to the rickety old stadium on the South Coast and I can't say I blame them.

If you are going, I hope it doesn't rain and let me hear you on the telly.

Come on you Addicks!  ¶ 20:02